Image reading apparatus, image reading method, image processing system, and storage medium

ABSTRACT

According to an embodiment of this invention, in a system including an image reading apparatus and a server, the image reading apparatus and the server can efficiently cooperatively perform image processing with a simple arrangement. More specifically, the image reading apparatus reads an image of an original, upon receiving an image reading instruction from a user terminal via the server, according to the instruction. The apparatus analyzes whether image processing included in the instruction is executable. If executable image processing exists, the apparatus executes the image processing for image data obtained by reading the image of the original. The image data of the original or image data that has undergone the image processing is transmitted to a transmission destination together with information representing whether the image processing included in the instruction has been executed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, an imagereading method, an image processing system, and a storage medium, andparticularly to an image reading apparatus connected via a network suchas the Internet, an image reading method, an image processing system,and a storage medium.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, a system in which a printing apparatus or scannerapparatus is connected to an information processing apparatus usingvarious interfaces such as USB, Ethernet®, and wireless LAN iseffectively used in various scenes such as a home and office. Examplesof apparatuses included in the system are a PC, a smartphone, a portabletelephone, a TV, a printer, a multifunction peripheral, a facsimileapparatus, a scanner, a digital camera, and a combination thereof.

At present, various services are provided using the Internet. Theservices include a web service that causes a server connected via anetwork to control a printing apparatus or scanner apparatus andprovides the functions/services of the scanner apparatus or printingapparatus to a user via the network.

Such a web service uses a system in which image data generated by ascanner apparatus is processed not only in the apparatus main body butalso by a connected server (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.2004-289500). In addition, there is a system that automatically decideswhich server should perform what kind of image processing in the system(for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2012-238980). There alsoexists a system that, in an environment where a scanner apparatus and aserver have the same image processing function, causes the server toperform image processing if the load on the server side is not more thana threshold, or performs image processing on the scanner apparatus sideotherwise (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-248527).

However, scanner apparatuses or printing apparatuses connected to aserver are not of the same model, and these apparatuses have variousimage processing functions. In addition, the image processing functionsare prepared on the server side in some cases but not in others.

The techniques disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 2004-289500and 2012-238980 are used only for control of image processing on theserver but do not assume the above-described situation. Even if anintended image processing function is prepared on the printing apparatusor scanner apparatus, it is unusable on the server side.

In the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-248527,in a case where the load of the server is light, image processing isalways performed on the server side. For this reason, image processingfunctions prepared on the printing apparatus or scanner apparatus arenot used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is conceived as a response to theabove-described disadvantages of the conventional art.

For example, an image reading apparatus, an image reading method, animage processing system, and a storage medium according to thisinvention are capable of, in a system in which a variety of apparatuseshaving different image processing functions are connected via a network,causing a plurality of apparatuses to efficiently cooperatively performimage processing by a simple arrangement while making full use of thefunctions of each apparatus.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided animage reading apparatus for reading an image of an original, comprising:a reading unit configured to read the image of the original according toan image reading instruction from a user; an image processing unitconfigured to perform image processing for image data obtained byreading the image of the original by the reading unit in a case wherethere exists the image processing that is specified in the image readinginstruction and is executable by the image reading apparatus; and atransmission unit configured to transmit information representingwhether the image processing specified in the image reading instructionhas been executed and one of the image data obtained by reading theimage of the original by the reading unit and image data that hasundergone the image processing by the image processing unit.

The invention is particularly advantageous since an image readingapparatus is specified by an image reading instruction, and the imagereading apparatus can execute executable image processing and transmitinformation representing that the image processing has already beenexecuted to a transmission destination together with image data that hasundergone the image processing. The image reading apparatus thusexecutes image processing executable by itself and performs thetransmission, thereby executing intended image processing for the readimage data.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments (with reference to theattached drawings).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic arrangement of a networksystem according to an embodiment of the present invention, whichincludes multifunction printers (MFPs) and personal computers (PCs)connected to each other via a network.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the schematic arrangement of an MFPshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the schematic arrangement of a PCshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sequence chart showing a sequence of causing a client PC tocommunicate with a server PC via the Internet and send an originalreading request.

FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of UI display.

FIG. 6 is a sequence chart showing a processing sequence of causing theserver PC to receive an original reading request from the client PC andnotify two MFPs of an original reading job.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a scan ticket created in step S601.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing original reading processing and imageprocessing executed by two MFPs upon receiving an original reading jobnotification from the server PC.

FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of a scan ticket transmitted from anMFP 100 to the server PC in step S809.

FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of a scan ticket transmitted froman MFP 150 to the server PC in step S809.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing processing executed by two other serverPCs;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are sequence charts showing a processing sequenceafter the MFP 100 has received an original reading job notification fromthe server PC until the client PC receives image data.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a scan ticket edited and created in stepS1110.

FIG. 14 is a view showing a scan ticket edited and created in stepS1117.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are sequence charts showing a sequence after the MFP150 has received an original reading job notification from the server PCuntil the client PC receives image data.

FIG. 16 is a view showing a scan ticket edited and created in stepS1507.

FIG. 17 is a view showing a scan ticket edited and created in stepS1512.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are sequence charts showing a processing sequenceafter the MFP 150 has received an original reading job notification fromthe server PC until the client PC receives image data.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described indetail in accordance with the accompanying drawings. It should be notedthat the relative arrangement of the constituent elements, and the likeset forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the presentinvention unless it is specifically stated otherwise.

In this specification, the terms “print” and “printing” not only includethe formation of significant information such as characters andgraphics, but also broadly includes the formation of images, figures,patterns, and the like on a print medium, or the processing of themedium, regardless of whether they are significant or insignificant andwhether they are so visualized as to be visually perceivable by humans.

Also, the term “print medium” not only includes a paper sheet used incommon printing apparatuses, but also broadly includes materials, suchas cloth, a plastic film, a metal plate, glass, ceramics, wood, andleather, capable of accepting ink.

<Arrangement of Network System (FIGS. 1 to 3)>

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic arrangement of aclient-server type network system (to be referred to as a systemhereinafter) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 1, this system is configured such that a plurality ofmultifunction printers (to be referred to as MFPs hereinafter) 100 and150 and a plurality of personal computers (to be referred to as PCshereinafter) 200, 250, and 300 to 302 are connected to each other viathe Internet 350.

Note that the configuration for connecting the MFPs and the PCs need notalways be the Internet and may be an intranet or a network using adedicated protocol. The physical interface for connecting the MFPs andthe PCs can have a wireless LAN/WAN configuration, a wired LAN/WANconfiguration, or a configuration including both wired and wirelessnetworks.

The plurality of PCs (information processing apparatuses) have the samearrangement. Out of the above-described plurality of PCs, some PCs (PCs200 and 250) operate as client PCs, and the remaining PCs (PCs 300 to302) operate as servers. A client operating system (to be referred to asan OS hereinafter) is installed in each client PC and operates. On theother hand, a server OS is installed in each server PC and operates.Here, the above-described PCs are assumed to have the same arrangementfor the sake of simplicity. However, the PCs may have differentarrangements in terms of hardware arrangement and software configurationas long as they can be connected to another PC or an MFP via thenetwork. For example, the client PC and the server PC have differentarrangements. The client PC includes apparatuses like a laptop PC, atablet terminal, a smartphone, and a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant).On the other hand, the server PC includes a high-performance desktop PCwith a large-capacity memory or disk. In this case, the client PC issometimes simply called a user terminal.

A description will be made assuming that the plurality of MFPs 100 and150 have the same functions for the sake of simplicity. However, theMFPs may have different arrangements in terms of hardware arrangementand software configuration as long as they can be connected to a PC oranother MFP via the network.

The numbers of client PCs, server PCs, and MFPs connected to theInternet 350 are not limited to those shown in FIG. 1, and the number ofapparatuses of each type may be less than 2 or 3 or more.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the schematic arrangement of the MFP100 shown in FIG. 1.

The MFP 100 has a printer function, a scanner function, and a storagefunction, and can provide each functional service via the network. Inthe MFP 100, the printer function is implemented by a printer unit 101,the scanner function is implemented by a scanner unit 102, and thestorage function is implemented by a memory card mount unit 103 and amemory card 104.

The printer unit 101 prints an image on a print medium such as printpaper based on print data received from the outside or image data storedin the memory card 104 in accordance with an inkjet method, anelectrophotographic method, or the like.

The scanner unit 102 optically reads an original placed on an originaltable, converts the data into image data, further converts the data intoa specified file format, and transmits the data to an external apparatusvia the network, or transfers the image data to the printer unit 101 toduplicate the read image (copy service). The scanner unit 102 can alsosave the data obtained by converting the read data into image data andfurther converting the image data into the specified file format in thesaving area (not shown) of the internal storage of the MFP.

In response to a request from an external apparatus (for example, PC)connected via the network, the memory card mount unit 103 can read out afile stored in the memory card 104, transfer the file to the externalapparatus so that the external apparatus can edit it, and store theedited file in the memory card from the external apparatus.

The MFP 100 also includes a CPU 105 configured to control the units ofthe MFP, and a program memory 106 such as a ROM storing program codesand the like to be read by the CPU 105. The MFP 100 further includes awork memory 107 such as a RAM configured to temporarily store or bufferimage data or the like upon executing each service, a display unit 108such as an LCD, and an operation unit 109 formed from switches (to bedescribed later).

The MFP 100 also includes a network communication unit 110 configured toconnect the MFP 100 to the network and perform various kinds ofcommunications, and a network connection unit 111 configured to connectthe network communication unit 110 to the network medium. The networkcommunication unit 110 supports at least one of a wired LAN and awireless LAN. The network connection unit 111 supporting the wired LANis a connector configured to connect the LAN cable to the MFP 100. Thenetwork connection unit 111 supporting the wireless LAN is an antenna.

The MFP 100 also includes a non-volatile flash memory 112 configured tostore data received by the network communication unit 110.

The above-described constituent elements of the MFP 100 are connected toeach other by a signal bus 113.

A client application 114 that causes the MFP 100 to operate as a clientto communicate with the above-described server PCs 300 to 302 isprovided in the program memory 106 of the MFP 100. The CPU 105 cancommunicate with the server PCs 300 to 302 by executing the clientapplication 114.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the schematic arrangement of the PC200 shown in FIG. 1. In this system, the PC can be operated as a clientPC or server PC, as described above.

As shown in FIG. 3, a CPU 201 reads out and executes the OS or anapplication program installed in a disk unit 202 and controls the unitsof the PC 200. The disk unit 202 stores various kinds of files and thelike. An external disk read unit 203 is used to read out the contents ofan external storage medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD. A memory 204 isused by the CPU 201 to temporarily store or buffer data as needed. ThePC 200 further includes a display unit 205 formed from an LCD or LED,and an operation unit 206 including a keyboard and a pointing device.

For communication via the network, the PC 200 also includes a networkcommunication unit 207 configured to connect the PC 200 to the networkand perform various kinds of communications, and a network connectionunit 208 that connects the network communication unit 207 to the networkmedium. As in the MFP 100, the network communication unit 207 and thenetwork connection unit 208 support at least one of a wired LAN and awireless LAN. As for a specific configuration, they take necessaryfunctions and configurations in accordance with the supported LAN, likethe network communication unit 110 and the network connection unit 111integrated in the MFP 100.

The PC 200 further includes a USB communication unit 210 configured tocommunicate with another apparatus via a USB interface, and a USBconnection unit 211 such as a USB connector.

The above-described constituent elements are connected to each other bya signal line bus 209.

Remote image reading and image processing implemented in the networksystem having the above-described arrangement will be described next. Inthis case, the network system functions as an image processing system.

Processing of sending an original reading instruction from the client PC200 to the MFP 100 via the Internet 350 and acquiring a read image willbe described here. The MFP 100 is assumed to have edge enhancementprocessing as an image processing function. On the other hand, the MFP150 is assumed to have edge enhancement processing and show-throughreduction processing as image processing functions and be able toexecute rotation processing depending on the free memory space. The freememory space increases in accordance with memory addition to the MFP 150or decreases depending on other job processing states. The memory amountnecessary for rotation processing is decided by the rotation angle. Notethat the image processing functions are not limited to the aboveexamples, and other image processing functions such as original regioncutout processing, OCR processing, and PDF conversion processing may beprovided. At any rate, in the above example, the image processingfunctions of the MFP 100 and those of the MFP 150 are different.

As for the image processing functions on the server side, the server PC301 is assumed to be able to perform rotation processing, and the serverPC 302 is assumed to be able to perform show-through reduction and PDFconversion. However, the image processing functions are not limited tothe above examples, and other image processing functions such as edgeenhancement processing, original region cutout processing, and OCRprocessing may be provided. At any rate, in the above example, the imageprocessing functions of the server PC 301 and those of the server PC 302are different.

In addition, the server PC 300 may have some of the image processingfunctions.

FIG. 4 is a sequence chart showing a sequence of causing the client PC200 to communicate with the server PC 300 via the Internet 350 and sendan original reading request.

First, the client PC 200 transmits an original reading setting query tothe server PC 300 (step S401). After receiving the original readingsetting query from the client PC 200, the server PC 300 refers to adatabase (DB) storing a list of original reading settings in advance(step S402), and returns original reading settings to the client PC 200(step S403).

The list of original reading settings is the list of settings providedby the web service and need not be managed on a model basis.

After receiving the original reading settings from the server PC 300,the client PC 200 performs display on a UI (User Interface) inaccordance with the settings (step S404).

FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of UI display. The user operates avarious setting display portion 502 for original reading displayed on aUI screen 501 shown in FIG. 5 and thus makes desired settings. Afterthat, when the user presses a reading start button 503, a set originalreading request is transmitted to the server PC 300 (step S405).

FIG. 6 is a sequence chart showing a processing sequence of causing theserver PC 300 to receive the original reading request from the client PC200 and notify the MFP 100 or MFP 150 of an original reading job.

Upon receiving the original reading request from the client PC 200 (stepS405), the server PC 300 creates a scan ticket in accordance with thereceived original reading settings (step S601).

FIG. 7 is a view showing a scan ticket created in step S601. As shown inFIG. 7, a scan ticket 701 includes a reading setting portion 702 inwhich values specified by the user on the UI screen 501 are set, a modelinformation portion 703, and an image processing setting portion 704.Although not displayed on the UI screen 501, the model informationportion 703 includes model information that is held in the database (DB)of the server PC 300 and is necessary for original reading. In the imageprocessing setting portion 704, values specified by the user on the UIscreen 501 are set.

The image processing setting portion 704 shown in FIG. 7 includesinformation used to specify image processing set by the user as imageprocessing to be executed. In this example, PDF conversion (Format:PDF), 90° rotation processing (Rotation: 90), edge enhancementprocessing (UnsharpMask), and show-through reduction processing(RemoveBaseColor) are enabled (On). A value representing that each imageprocessing is unexecuted (UNPROCESSED) is also set. That is, these imageprocesses are specified as image processing to be executed.

After the scan ticket is correctly created, the server PC 300 transmitsan original reading request response to the client PC 200 (step S602).The server PC 300 also notifies the MFP 100 or 150 that is the MFPspecified by the user of the scan ticket created in step S601 as anoriginal reading job (step S603).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing original reading processing and imageprocessing executed by the MFP 100/MFP 150 upon receiving an originalreading job notification from the server PC 300. Note that a programcorresponding to the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 isstored in the program memory 106, and the CPU 105 executes the programon the work memory 107, thereby implementing the processing shown inFIG. 8.

The MFP 100/MFP 150 receives an original reading job notification fromthe server PC 300 (step S801). The MFP analyzes the received scan ticket(step S802). Upon determining as the result of analysis that the scanticket is not authentic, the MFP transmits an error to the server PC 300(step S804). Then, the processing ends.

On the other hand, upon determining that the scan ticket is authentic,the MFP executes original reading in accordance with the originalreading settings described in the scan ticket, thereby generating imagedata (step S805). The MFP also analyzes the received scan ticket andchecks whether image processing executable by the MFP 100/MFP 150 existsamong the enabled but unexecuted image processes (step S806). Upondetermining that executable but unexecuted image processing exists, theMFP executes the unexecuted image processing for the image data (stepS807), and describes, in the scan ticket, information representing thatthe image processing has been executed (step S808). For example, the MFP100 is of a model capable of executing edge enhancement processing.Hence, if edge enhancement processing is enabled in the scan ticket, theMFP 100 executes it. The MFP 150 is of a model capable of executing edgeenhancement processing and show-through reduction processing. Hence, ifedge enhancement processing and show-through reduction processing areenabled in the scan ticket, the MFP 150 executes them.

On the other hand, upon determining that image processing executable bythe MFP 100/MFP 150 does not exist among the enabled but unexecutedimage processes, the MFP transmits the image data and the scan ticket tothe server PC 301 (step S809). The transmission destination may bemanaged by the MFP 100/150. Alternatively, the transmission destinationmay be described in the scan ticket, and transmission may be done basedon it. Otherwise, the server PC 300 that has transmitted the scan ticketmay be queried about the transmission destination.

According to the processing shown in FIG. 8 described above, it ispossible to appropriately execute image processing that is executable bythe MFP 100/150 for executing the processing shown in FIG. 8 and isenabled but still unexecuted. For image processing executed by the MFP100/150 itself, information representing that the image processing hasbeen executed is described in the scan ticket. This allows an apparatus(for example, server) that has received the scan ticket to recognizethat the image processing has been executed. It is therefore possible toprevent the image processing from being doubly executed even if it isexecutable by the apparatus. Details of processing of the server will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 11.

FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of a scan ticket transmitted fromthe MFP 100 to the server PC 301 in step S809. As shown in FIG. 9, ascan ticket 901 includes a reading setting portion 902 that is the sameas the above-described reading setting portion 702, a model informationportion 903 that is the same as the model information portion 703, andan image processing setting portion 904.

In the image processing setting portion 904, a value representing thatimage processing has been executed (PROCESSED) is set in the portion ofedge enhancement processing (UnsharpMask) executed by the MFP 100 basedon the image processing setting portion 704. In the image processingsetting portion 904, both a value representing image processing isenabled (On) and the value representing that image processing has beenexecuted (PROCESSED) are described. However, only the value representingthat image processing has been executed may be described, or the item ofthe executed processing may wholly be deleted.

On the other hand, FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of a scan tickettransmitted from the MFP 150 to the server PC 301 in step S809. As shownin FIG. 10, a scan ticket 1401 includes a reading setting portion 1402that is the same as the above-described reading setting portion 702, amodel information portion 1403 that is the same as the model informationportion 703, and an image processing setting portion 1404.

In the image processing setting portion 1404, a value representing thatimage processing has been executed (PROCESSED) is set in each of theportions of edge enhancement processing (UnsharpMask) and theshow-through reduction processing (RemoveBaseColor) executed by the MFP150 based on the image processing setting portion 704. In the imageprocessing setting portion 1404, both a value representing imageprocessing is enabled (On) and the value representing that imageprocessing has been executed (PROCESSED) are described. However, onlythe value representing that image processing has been executed may bedescribed, or the items of the executed processes may wholly be deleted.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the server PCs 301and 302.

The server PC 301 receives image data and a scan ticket from the MFP100/MFP 150, and the server PC 302 receives them from the server PC 301(step S1001). The server PC analyzes the received scan ticket (stepS1002). More specifically, the server PC analyzes image processing(image processing to be executed) enabled in the scan ticket andinformation described in the scan ticket in step S808 of FIG. 8 by theMFP 100/150. The server PC 302 can thus identify image processing thatshould be executed for the read image but is still unexecuted by the MFP100/150.

The server PC checks, as the result of analysis, whether imageprocessing executable by the server PC itself exists among the enabledbut unexecuted image processes (step S1003). Note that in step S1003, itis determined whether the image processing identified by the analysis instep S1002 is executable by the server PC 301. Upon determining thatexecutable image processing exists, the server PC executes the imageprocessing for the image data (step S1004), and describes, in the scanticket, information representing that the image processing has beenexecuted (step S1005).

On the other hand, upon determining that image processing executable bythe server PC itself does not exist among the enabled but unexecutedimage processes, the server PC transmits the image data and the scanticket to the next transmission destination (step S1006). The nexttransmission destination may be managed by each of the server PCs 301and 302. Alternatively, the transmission destination may be described inthe scan ticket, and transmission may be done based on it. Otherwise,the server PC 300 that has created the scan ticket may be queried aboutthe transmission destination.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are sequence charts showing an example of a processingsequence after the MFP 100 has received an original reading jobnotification from the server PC 300 until the client PC 200 receivesimage data.

The MFP 100 receives an original reading job notification from theserver PC 300 (step S603). The scan ticket received at this time is theabove-described scan ticket 701. The MFP 100 analyzes the scan ticket701 (step S1101). If analysis of the scan ticket 701 has succeeded, theMFP 100 transmits an original reading job notification response to theserver PC 300 (step S1102).

The MFP 100 performs original reading in accordance with the readingsettings described in the scan ticket 701, thereby generating image data(step S1103). In the scan ticket 701, edge enhancement processing isenabled but unexecuted, as described above. The MFP 100 can execute edgeenhancement processing and therefore performs edge enhancementprocessing for the generated image data (step S1104). The MFP 100describes, in the scan ticket 701, information representing that edgeenhancement processing has been executed (step S1105). Remaining imageprocesses enabled in the scan ticket 701 are inexecutable by the MFP100. For this reason, the MFP 100 does not change the items of theremaining image processes in the scan ticket 701. The scan ticket afterthe description is the above-described scan ticket 901.

The MFP 100 transmits the scan ticket 901 and the image data that hasundergone the edge enhancement processing to the server PC 301 (stepS1106). The server PC 301 is the server as the transmission destinationof the scan ticket 901, which receives the data from the MFP 100.

The server PC 301 receives the scan ticket 901 and the image data thathas undergone the edge enhancement processing from the MFP 100, andtransmits a reception response to the MFP 100 (step S1107). The serverPC 301 analyzes the received scan ticket 901 (step S1108). In the scanticket 901, rotation processing is enabled but unexecuted. The server PC301 can execute rotation processing and therefore performs rotationprocessing (step S1109). Remaining image processes enabled in the scanticket 901 are inexecutable by the server PC 301. For this reason, theserver PC 301 does not change the items of the remaining image processesin the scan ticket 901. The server PC 301 describes, in the scan ticket901, information representing that rotation processing has been executed(step S1110).

FIG. 13 is a view showing a scan ticket created in step S1110. As shownin FIG. 13, a scan ticket 1201 is created by the server PC 301 andincludes a reading setting portion 1202 that is the same as the readingsetting portion 902, a model information portion 1203 that is the sameas the model information portion 903, and an image processing settingportion 1204. In the image processing setting portion 1204, a valuerepresenting that image processing has been executed (PROCESSED) is setin the portion of rotation processing (Rotation) executed by the serverPC 301 based on the image processing setting portion 904.

Referring back to FIG. 12B, the server PC 301 transmits the scan ticket1201 and the image data that has undergone the edge enhancementprocessing and the rotation processing to the server PC 302 (stepS1111). The server PC 302 is the server that performs image processingnext to the server PC 301.

Upon receiving the scan ticket 1201 and the image data that hasundergone the edge enhancement processing and the rotation processingfrom the server PC 301, the server PC 302 transmits a reception responseto the server PC 301 (step S1112). The server PC 302 analyzes thereceived scan ticket 1201 (step S1113). In the received scan ticket1201, show-through reduction processing is enabled but unexecuted. Theserver PC 302 can execute show-through reduction processing andtherefore performs show-through reduction processing (step S1114).

After that, the server PC 302 describes, in the scan ticket, informationrepresenting that show-through reduction processing has been executed(step S1115). Additionally, in the received scan ticket 1201, PDFconversion processing is enabled but unexecuted. The server PC 302 canexecute PDF conversion and therefore further executes PDF conversionprocessing (step S1116). The server PC 302 further describes, in thescan ticket edited in step S1115, information representing that PDFconversion has been executed (step S1117).

FIG. 14 is a view showing a scan ticket edited and created in stepS1117. As shown in FIG. 14, a scan ticket 1301 includes a readingsetting portion 1302 that is the same as the reading setting portion1202, a model information portion 1303 that is the same as the modelinformation portion 1203, and an image processing setting portion 1304.In the image processing setting portion 1304, a value representing thatimage processing has been executed (PROCESSED) is set in each of theportions of show-through reduction and PDF conversion executed by theserver PC 302 based on the image processing setting portion 1204.

Referring back to FIG. 12B, if there is no unexecuted image processinganymore, the server PC 302 transmits the scan ticket 1301 and the imagedata that has undergone the edge enhancement processing, the rotationprocessing, the show-through reduction processing, and the PDFconversion processing to the client PC 200 that has issued the originalreading request (step S405) (step S1118). Upon receiving the image dataand the scan ticket 1301, the client PC 200 transmits a receptionresponse to the server PC 302 (step S1119).

An example in which an original is read by the MFP 150 will be describednext as another example of the sequence according to this embodiment.Note that the MFP 150 can execute show-through reduction processing,unlike the MFP 100.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are sequence charts showing a sequence after the MFP150 has received an original reading job notification from the server PC300 until the client PC 200 receives image data.

In the processing sequence showing in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the MFP 150 isassumed to have no free memory space necessary for rotation processingand be unable to perform rotation processing.

The MFP 150 receives an original reading job notification from theserver PC 300 (step S603). The scan ticket received at this time is theabove-described scan ticket 701. The MFP 150 analyzes the scan ticket701 (step S1501). If analysis of the scan ticket 701 has succeeded, theMFP 150 transmits an original reading job notification response to theserver PC 300 (step S1502).

The MFP 150 executes original reading in accordance with the readingsettings described in the scan ticket 701, thereby generating image data(step S1503). The scan ticket 701 represents that edge enhancementprocessing is enabled but unexecuted. The MFP 150 can execute edgeenhancement processing and therefore performs edge enhancementprocessing for the generated image data (step S1504). The MFP 150describes, in the scan ticket 701, information representing that edgeenhancement processing has been executed (step S1505). The scan ticket701 also represents that show-through reduction processing is enabledbut unexecuted. The MFP 150 can execute show-through reductionprocessing and therefore executes show-through reduction processing forthe image data that has undergone edge enhancement processing (stepS1506). The MFP 150 describes, in the scan ticket edited in step S1505,information representing that show-through reduction processing has beenexecuted (step S1507).

FIG. 16 is a view showing a scan ticket edited and created in stepS1507. As shown in FIG. 16, a scan ticket 1601 includes a readingsetting portion 1602 that is the same as the reading setting portion702, a model information portion 1603 that is the same as the modelinformation portion 703, and an image processing setting portion 1604.In the image processing setting portion 1604, a value representing thatimage processing has been executed (PROCESSED) is set in each of theportions of edge enhancement processing and show-through reductionexecuted by the MFP 150 based on the image processing setting portion704.

Referring back to FIGS. 15A and 15B, the MFP 150 transmits the scanticket 1601 and the image data that has undergone the edge enhancementprocessing and the show-through reduction processing to the server PC301 (step S1508). The server PC 301 is the server that receives imagedata from the MFP 150, that is, the server as the transmissiondestination of the scan ticket 1601.

Upon receiving the scan ticket 1601 and the image data that hasundergone the edge enhancement processing and the show-through reductionprocessing from the MFP 150, the server PC 301 transmits a receptionresponse to the MFP 150 (step S1509). The server PC 301 analyzes thereceived scan ticket 1601 (step S1510). In the scan ticket 1601,rotation processing is enabled but unexecuted. The server PC 301 canexecute rotation processing and therefore executes rotation processing(step S1511). After that, the server PC 301 describes, in the scanticket 1601, information representing that rotation processing has beenexecuted (step S1512).

FIG. 17 is a view showing a scan ticket edited and created in stepS1512. As shown in FIG. 17, a scan ticket 1701 includes a readingsetting portion 1702 that is the same as the reading setting portion1602, a model information portion 1703 that is the same as the modelinformation portion 1603, and an image processing setting portion 1704.In the image processing setting portion 1704, a value representing thatimage processing has been executed (PROCESSED) is set in the portion ofrotation processing executed by the server PC 301 based on the imageprocessing setting portion 1604.

Referring back to FIG. 15B, the server PC 301 transmits the scan ticket1701 and the image data that has undergone the edge enhancementprocessing, the show-through reduction processing, and the rotationprocessing to the server PC 302 (step S1513). The server PC 302 is theserver that performs image processing next to the server PC 301.

Upon receiving the scan ticket 1701 and the image data that hasundergone the edge enhancement processing, the show-through reductionprocessing, and the rotation processing from the server PC 301, theserver PC 302 transmits a reception response to the server PC 301 (stepS1514). The server PC 302 analyzes the received scan ticket 1701 (stepS1515). The received scan ticket 1701 represents that PDF conversionprocessing is enabled but unexecuted. The server PC 302 can execute PDFconversion and therefore executes PDF conversion processing (stepS1516). After that, the server PC 302 describes, in the scan ticket1701, information representing that PDF conversion has been executed(step S1517). The scan ticket after the description is theabove-described scan ticket 1301.

If there is no unexecuted image processing anymore, the server PC 302transmits the scan ticket 1301 and the image data that has undergone theedge enhancement processing, the rotation processing, the show-throughreduction processing, and the PDF conversion processing to the client PC200 that has issued the original reading request (step S405) (stepS1518). After receiving the image data and the scan ticket 1301, theclient PC 200 transmits a reception response to the server PC 302 (stepS1519).

FIGS. 18A and 18B are sequence charts showing a sequence after the MFP150 has received an original reading job notification from the server PC300 until the client PC 200 receives image data.

Note that in the processing sequence showing in FIGS. 18A and 18B, theMFP 150 is assumed to have a free memory space necessary for rotationprocessing and be able to perform rotation processing.

The MFP 150 receives an original reading job notification from theserver PC 300 (step S603). The scan ticket received at this time is theabove-described scan ticket 701. The MFP 150 analyzes the scan ticket701 (step S1801). If analysis of the scan ticket 701 has succeeded, theMFP 150 transmits an original reading job notification response to theserver PC 300 (step S1802).

The MFP 150 executes original reading in accordance with the readingsettings described in the scan ticket 701, thereby generating image data(step S1803). The scan ticket 701 represents that edge enhancementprocessing is enabled but unexecuted. The MFP 150 can execute edgeenhancement processing and therefore performs edge enhancementprocessing for the generated image data (step S1804). The MFP 150describes, in the scan ticket 701, information representing that edgeenhancement processing has been executed (step S1805). In the scanticket 701, show-through reduction processing is also enabled butunexecuted. The MFP 150 can execute show-through reduction processingand therefore executes show-through reduction processing for the imagedata that has undergone edge enhancement processing (step S1806). TheMFP 150 describes, in the scan ticket edited in step S1805, informationrepresenting that show-through reduction processing has been executed(step S1807). In the scan ticket 701, rotation processing is alsoenabled but unexecuted. The MFP 150 can execute rotation processing andtherefore executes rotation processing for the image data that hasundergone edge enhancement processing and the show-through reductionprocessing (step S1808). The MFP 150 describes, in the scan ticketedited in step S1807, information representing that rotation processinghas been executed (step S1809). The scan ticket after the description isthe above-described scan ticket 1701.

The MFP 150 transmits the scan ticket 1701 and the image data that hasundergone the edge enhancement processing, the show-through reductionprocessing, and the rotation processing to the server PC 301 (stepS1810). The server PC 301 is the server that receives image data fromthe MFP 150 or the server as the transmission destination of the scanticket 1701.

Upon receiving the scan ticket 1701 and the image data that hasundergone the edge enhancement processing, the show-through reductionprocessing, and the rotation processing from the MFP 150, the server PC301 transmits a reception response to the MFP 150 (step S1811).

The server PC 301 analyzes the received scan ticket 1701 (step S1812).Since executable image processing does not exist among the enabled butunexecuted image processes in the scan ticket 1701, the server PC 301transfers the scan ticket 1701 and the image data that has undergone theedge enhancement processing, the show-through reduction processing, andthe rotation processing to the server PC 302 (step S1813). The server PC302 is the server that performs image processing next to the server PC301 or the server as the transmission destination of the scan ticket1701.

Upon receiving the scan ticket 1701 and the image data that hasundergone the edge enhancement processing, the show-through reductionprocessing, and the rotation processing from the server PC 301, theserver PC 302 transmits a reception response to the server PC 301 (stepS1814). The server PC 302 analyzes the received scan ticket 1701 (stepS1815). The received scan ticket 1701 represents that PDF conversionprocessing is enabled but unexecuted. The server PC 302 can execute PDFconversion and therefore executes PDF conversion processing (stepS1816). The server PC 302 describes, in the scan ticket 1701,information representing that PDF conversion has been executed (stepS1817). The scan ticket after the description is the above-describedscan ticket 1301.

If there is no unexecuted image processing anymore, the server PC 302transmits the scan ticket 1301 and the image data that has undergone theedge enhancement processing, the rotation processing, the show-throughreduction processing, and the PDF conversion processing to the client PC200 that has issued the original reading request (step S405) (stepS1818).

Upon receiving the image data and the scan ticket 1301, the client PC200 transmits a reception response to the server PC 302 (step S1819).

Hence, according to the above-described embodiment, image processingexecutable by the MFP is executed by the MFP itself. The MFP describes,in a scan ticket, information representing that the image processing hasbeen executed, and notifies the server of it. The server is allowed toexecute only unexecuted image processing described in the scan ticket.Since this can make full use of the functions of the MFP andsimultaneously minimize the processing load of the server, the operationcost of the server can be reduced.

Additionally, even if MFPs and servers having different functionscoexist, the functions and executed processes can be managed bytransmitting/receiving the scan ticket. Since the management need not bedone by the server, it is possible to flexibly cope with a networksystem of any configuration. For example, even if the firmware of theMFP is updated, and an image processing function installed in it isdeleted or a new image processing function is added, it is possible tocope with the system without changing the server. If there is an MFPthat has no image processing function at all, the server receives imagedata generated by reading an original from the MFP and executes allimage processes.

Note that in the above embodiment, an example has been described inwhich in a case where an apparatus that has received a scan ticketexecutes image processing for a read image, information representingthat the image processing has been executed is described in the scanticket. However, information representing that the image processing isenabled (used to instruct to perform the image processing) may bedeleted from the scan ticket, as described above. This can also preventthe image processing from being doubly executed by the apparatus thathas received the scan ticket with the information deleted.

However, in a case where information representing that image processinghas been executed is described in the scan ticket, following processingcan be performed. For example, assume a case where the MFP performscolor conversion processing for a read image, and the server performsadditional color conversion processing. At this time, in theconfiguration that deletes information representing that imageprocessing is enabled, as described above, information about “colorconversion” is deleted by the MFP. Then, the server cannot determinewhether to execute color conversion processing.

By describing, in the scan ticket, information representing that theimage processing has been executed, the server can recognize that thecolor conversion has been executed by the MFP. In this case, since theserver also executes color conversion processing, color conversionprocessing can further be executed for the image that has undergonecolor conversion processing in the MFP.

Note that in the above-described embodiment, the user inputs a readinginstruction or specifies image processing to be performed for a readimage on the client PC 200. However, the present invention is notlimited to this. For example, the screen shown in FIG. 5 may bedisplayed on the display unit 108 of the MFP 100, and the user mayoperate the operation unit 109 to execute the reading instruction orimage processing specifying.

In this case, for example, the MFP 100 may be provided with a webbrowser function, and the screen shown in FIG. 5 may be provided by theserver PC 300. When the user inputs the reading instruction or specifiesimage processing on the screen, the pieces of information may benotified from the MFP 100 to the server PC 300. The server PC 300 maygenerate a scan ticket, as in the above-described embodiment, and issuethe scan ticket to the MFP. In a case where the user performs anoperation on the MFP 100 as well, the scan ticket is generated andissued, as in the above-described embodiment. This allows the server PC302 to generate and issue a scan ticket by common processing regardlessof whether the user's reading instruction or image processing specifyingis performed on the client PC 200 or the MFP 100.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the MFP performs originalimage reading and (if possible) image processing has been described.However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, aflatbed type scanner apparatus (image reading apparatus) having a singlefunction and connectable to a network may be used.

Embodiment(s) of the present invention can also be realized by acomputer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computerexecutable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on astorage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/orthat includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or moreof the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by thecomputer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out andexecuting the computer executable instructions from the storage mediumto perform the functions of one or more of the above-describedembodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). Thecomputer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processingunit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network ofseparate computers or separate processors to read out and execute thecomputer executable instructions. The computer executable instructionsmay be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or thestorage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or moreof a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM),a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as acompact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™),a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2014-139165, filed Jul. 4, 2014, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image reading apparatus for reading an imageof an original, comprising: at least one processor; and a reading unitconfigured to read the image of the original, wherein said at least oneprocessor causes said reading unit to read the image of the originalaccording to a scan ticket having a predetermined format and specifyingimage processing designated by a user, said at least one processorperforms image processing for image data obtained by reading the imageof the original by said reading unit in a case where there exists theimage processing that is specified in the scan ticket and is executableby the image reading apparatus, said at least one processor editscontents of the scan ticket so as to include information for specifyingimage processing which is unexecuted out of the image processingspecified in the scan ticket, and said at least one processor transmitsthe edited scan ticket and image data that has undergone the imageprocessing.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imageprocessing includes at least one of PDF conversion, rotation of theimage, edge enhancement, and show-through reduction.
 3. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein a transmission destination of said atleast one processor is specified in the scan ticket or determined byquerying an apparatus that has transmitted the scan ticket.
 4. Theapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading apparatus isintegrated in a multifunction printer having a printer function and astorage function.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said atleast one processor edits the contents of the scan ticket so as torepresent which has been executed and which is unexecuted out of theimage processing.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said atleast one processor describes, in the scan ticket, informationrepresenting which has been executed by said at least one processor in acase where said at least one processor edits the contents of the scanticket.
 7. An image reading method of an image reading apparatus forreading an image of an original, comprising: reading the image of theoriginal according to a scan ticket having a predetermined format andspecifying image processing designated by a user; performing imageprocessing for image data obtained by reading the image of the originalin the reading in a case where the image processing is specified in thescan ticket and is executable by the image reading apparatus; editingcontents of the scan ticket so as to include information for specifyingimage processing which is unexecuted out of the image processingspecified in the scan ticket; and transmitting the edited scan ticketand image data that has undergone the image processing.
 8. The methodaccording to claim 7, wherein the image processing includes at least oneof PDF conversion, rotation of the image, edge enhancement, andshow-through reduction.
 9. The method according to claim 7, wherein atransmission destination in the transmitting is specified in the scanticket or determined by querying an apparatus that has transmitted thescan ticket.
 10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the imagereading apparatus is integrated in a multifunction printer having aprinter function and a storage function.
 11. The method according toclaim 7, wherein in the editing, the contents of the scan ticket isedited so as to represent which has been executed and which isunexecuted out of the image processing.
 12. The method according toclaim 11, wherein in the editing, information representing which hasbeen executed is described in the scan ticket.
 13. An image processingsystem formed by connecting an image reading apparatus for reading animage of an original, a user terminal, and a server via a network,wherein said image reading apparatus comprises: a first processor,wherein said first processor causes a reading unit of said image readingapparatus to read the image of the original according to a scan tickethaving a predetermined format and specifying image processing designatedby a user, said first processor performs image processing for image dataobtained by reading the image of the original in a case where thereexists the image processing that is specified in the scan ticket and isexecutable by said image reading apparatus, said first processor editscontents of the scan ticket so as to include information for specifyingimage processing which is unexecuted out of the image processingspecified in the scan ticket, and said first processor transmits theedited scan ticket and image data that has undergone the imageprocessing by said first processor, said user terminal comprises: asecond processor, wherein said second processor causes a communicationunit of said user terminal to transmit an instruction for reading theimage of the original and executing the image processing, to saidserver, and said second processor causes the communication unit toreceive the image data that has undergone the image processing by saidfirst processor via the network as a result of the instruction, and saidserver comprises a third processor, wherein said third processornotifies said image reading apparatus of the scan ticket according tothe instruction received from said user terminal.
 14. The systemaccording to claim 13, wherein said third processor of said servercauses a communication unit of said server to receive the image datatransmitted by said image reading apparatus and the scan ticket whichincludes information for specifying image processing which is unexecutedout of the image processing specified in the scan ticket, said thirdprocessor of said server performs the image processing for the imagedata received by the communication unit of said server in a case wherethe unexecuted image processing is specified by the information includedin the received scan ticket, and the unexecuted image processing isexecutable by said server, said third processor of said server edits thecontents of the received scan ticket so as to include information forspecifying image processing which is unexecuted by said third processor,and said third processor of said server transmits the edited scan ticketand the image data that has undergone the image processing by said thirdprocessor.
 15. The system according to claim 14, wherein said servercomprises a plurality of servers, and said plurality of servers canexecute different image processes, and one of the plurality of serverstransmits the edited scan ticket and the image data that has undergonethe image processing, to another one of the plurality of servers. 16.The system according to claim 15, wherein another server of saidplurality of servers performs the image processing for the receivedimage data in a case where unexecuted image processing is specified bythe information included in the received scan ticket, and the imageprocessing is executable by said another server, and wherein said secondprocessor of said user terminal receives the image data that hasundergone the image processing by the plurality of servers via thenetwork as a result of the instruction.
 17. The system according toclaim 13, wherein said user terminal operates as a client.
 18. Thesystem according to claim 13, wherein said user terminal includes apersonal computer, a smartphone, and a tablet terminal.
 19. The systemaccording to claim 13, wherein the first processor edits the contents ofthe scan ticket so as to represent which has been executed and which isunexecuted out of the image processing.
 20. The system according toclaim 19, wherein the first processor describes, in the scan ticket,information representing which has been executed by the first processorin a case where said first processor edits the contents of the scanticket.
 21. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium whichstores a computer program to be executed in at least one processor of animage reading apparatus for reading an image of an original, the programcomprising: reading the image of the original according to a scan tickethaving a predetermined format and specifying image processing designatedby a user; performing image processing for image data obtained byreading the image of the original in the reading in a case where theimage processing is specified in the scan ticket and is executable bythe image reading apparatus; editing contents of the scan ticket so asto include information for specifying image processing which isunexecuted out of the image processing specified in the scan ticket; andtransmitting the edited scan ticket and image data that has undergonethe image processing.